RISK TAKERS

R
I
ASHLEY
MORKEN
CLINT
HOWITZ
URSULA
HEGVIK
NICK
KILLORAN
KARLA
SOLUM
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UNGLUED
Ashley Morken
originally started the
Unglued: Craft Fest in
Fargo while working as
a nurse. She quickly
realized there was a
demand in the area for
handmade goods. With
a newly opened store
in Sioux Falls, S.D., she
continues to grow.
What was the hardest
part about being a
risk taker and going
off on your own?
"That there is no line
between personal life
and business life since
it all has become one
adventure/passion/
dream. Leaving the
stability of a career
to do this makes life
unstable and crazy
stressful, but I wouldn't
have it any other way
(most days...as long
as I've had coffee... or
whiskey)."
ungluedmarket.com
DOGIDS
Howitz really loves
dogs. As the owner of
dogIDs.com, a website
selling pet products,
Howitz dove headfirst
into the world of
e-commerce. Carrying
over 1,000 products
on their website, the
company has amassed
much success, even
appearing on “Good
Morning America”
several times.
Tell us a brief story
that illustrates the
hardship and risk you
faced.
“In 2012/2013 over half
of our organic search
traffic was lost due to
new search algorithms
and mistakes we made.
Revenue plummeted.
We had to let several
good people go, cut
salaries and benefits,
etc. There were many
sleepless nights
over many months
wondering whether we
would make payroll, let
alone lose everything.”
dogids.com
SMART SPACES
Ursula worked at
California Closets in
Minneapolis before
coming up north to
start Smart Spaces,
a company that
specializes in creating
ideal spaces for
closets, garages,
entryways and other
rooms. She now has a
team of six employees.
What would you say
to someone looking
to become a risk
taker in business?
“Do your research!
Make lists. Put one foot
in front of the other
and keep moving. Yes,
it’s overwhelming, but
just do something,
anything, that needs
to be done and the
rest will figure itself out.
Write down your goals.
It might sound cheesy,
but believe in yourself.
If you don’t, no one
else will. Ask respected
people for help when
you need it. Appreciate
what you have at every
point. It’s OK to want
more, but be grateful
for your strengths and
rewards along the
way.”
smartspacesfargo.com
GREAT NORTH
INSURANCE
After having a steady
career at Wells Fargo,
Killoran set off to
make his own mark by
opening Great North
Insurance. Coming
from a long line of
entrepreneurs, he and
his business partner,
Zach Bosh, have grown
their business to almost
10 employees.
What would you say
to someone looking
to become a risk
taker in business?
"Before you invest
your time and money,
take the opportunity
to learn and surround
yourself with great
people. I was fortunate
to work for my parents’
business growing up,
which also started from
scratch. They taught
me a strong work ethic.
My business partner is
willing to take on any
task. My wife is always
there to encourage me
and provide additional
feedback. You are as
strong as the people
around you, so if you
have a great team
around you… take the
leap of faith."
greatnorthinsurance
services.com
ELEVATE HUMAN
POTENTIAL
As the Sports
Chiropractor with USA
Beach Volleyball and
USA Track and Field,
Solum has dedicated
her life to fitness. She
took it to the next level
when she recently
moved to Fargo from
Seattle and opened
Elevate Human
Potential in Moorhead.
What was the hardest
part about being a
risk taker and going
off on your own?
"When you pour
all of your passion
into something, you
are totally exposing
yourself to criticism and
failure. That, along with
the realization that you
could not only lose your
job, but your livelihood
and your heart and
soul, if your business
doesn’t succeed is the
toughest part."
ehpcrossfit.com
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